Accessibility was at the heart of this project. We worked to create welcoming spaces for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent audiences and artists, and improve venues’ practice. Take Art’s “How to Increase Your Welcome to More Diverse Audiences” page shares this learning and can now support others in making their events more inclusive and impactful.

Funded by an Arts Council England Lottery Project Grant and built on the success of a 2021 pilot, the project developed relationships between circus makers and presenters and grew audiences across five counties. Development with young circus artists studying at Circomedia, Bristol, was undertaken to support touring opportunities for students engaging with community touring for the first time.

Six outstanding companies—Max Calaf Sevé, Levantes Dance Theatre, Matt Pang & Owen Reynolds, Collective ConTakt, Poppy Plowman, and Nikki & JD—brought powerful, inventive performances to 33 venues, with 42 shows and 36 workshops delivered throughout 2024.

The results speak volumes:

• 6,932 attendees, more than doubling our target
• 55% had not seen a live circus show in the last two years
• 95% found the shows enjoyable
• 94% said the experience was memorable
• 82% said it was thought-provoking

With our partners we are proud to have brought joyful, extraordinary circus to places that rarely see it, and to have helped grow a stronger, more inclusive circus community across the region.